Deacons #11 - Deacon Training Materials

There are so many GREAT resources available to provide training for those serving as deacons. I would encourage every church to make deacon training a regular occurrence. It will prove to be helpful to the deacons, as well as, a blessing to the Pastor and church. I want to offer some recommendations for deacon training materials, but I first want to extend a word of caution -- Any materials or curriculum that shows deacons to be administrators of the church or having authority over the Pastor or congregation, should be avoided at all costs. Pastors will find that carnal or power-hungry deacons will quickly elevate the training manual above the Bible and they will become divisive, rather than helpful. The training materials shown below represent some of the strongest churches and deacon ministries in our country. They will provide much helpful information for establishing a Bible-based deacon ministry.

1) The Bible should be the first and primary source for deacon training. A deacon ministry that is not based on the Bible, probably based on tradition or ideas from corporate America being implemented into God's Church. God established the Church and the plan to maintain it, so I encourage you to base your deacon ministry on the Bible.

2) In my opinion, one of the very best models for deacon ministry was established by Dr. Jim Henry at FBC of Orlando, FL. I strongly recommend their training materials entitled, ""The Deacons: Partners in Ministry and Growth." You can visit their website at http://www.firstorlando.com/care/deacon to learn more.

3) Another great resource is entitled, "The Deacon I Want to Be" and is put out by Pastor Johnny Hunt from FBC of Woodstock, GA. http://www.johnnyhunt.com/store/products.php?product=The-Deacon-I-Want-to-Be

4) The Baptist Start Page is another great resource for deacon training materials. They have many great articles and resources available on their website: http://www.baptiststart.com/deacon.htm.

5) The Pastoral Care Deacon Ministry is a summary of deacon ministry at Brentwood Baptist in Brentwood, TN. You can read the article as presented by LifeWay at http://www.lifeway.com/Article/pastoral-care-focused-deacon-ministry.

6) I also came across a VERY interesting article by Waylan Lawrence Payne, Jr. written as part of his course work for his Doctoral Degree from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary in 1996. You can view the article at http://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1255&context=doctoral.

7) Finally, Charles Stanley offers some good insights regarding the role of the undershepherd and deacons at https://www.intouch.org/listen/messages/the-scriptural-view-of-the-undershepherd-radio.

Deacons #10 - Deacon Selection, Term Limits & Removal

There is no exact method described in the Bible for the deacon selection process. The only thing that is stressed are the qualifications established in Acts 6 and 1 Timothy 3. In this post, I want to briefly address the topics of deacon selection, term limits, filling a vacated term, removal of deacons, and offer some closing thoughts.

1) SELECTION OF DEACONS:

The following process for selecting deacons is being recommended after observing both good and bad deacon situations in various churches:
a) Present the Pastor, ministerial staff, and current deacons with a list containing the names of every man who is an active member of the church.
b) Allow the Pastor, ministerial staff, and current deacons to cross off the names of all men they know do not meet the biblical qualifications and/or any additional guidelines established by the church's bylaws for those desiring to serve as deacons.
c) Once this step is complete, pass the list of remaining names to the church Business Office and have them cross off the names of every man who is not financially supporting the church with what would, to the best of their knowledge, be considered at least a tithe.
d) After the Pastor, staff, current deacons, and Business Office have purged the list; present the list of remaining candidates to the congregation for their final selection.
e) Once the new deacons are elected, the Pastor should have the responsibility of selecting the Deacon Chairman and Vice-Chair.
f) While some churches choose to ordain their deacons, I do not see that to be biblical as it is being practiced today. In addition, too many mistakenly equate a deacon ordination with a ministerial ordination. I would urge extreme caution when doing ANY type of ordination. Instead, I would encourage a commissioning or dedication service for the newly elected deacons.

2) TERM LIMITS FOR DEACONS:

The Scriptures do not mention term limits for deacons; but in most Baptist churches a 3-year term is the average for deacon service. This method allows one-third (1/3) of the deacon body (not "Board," because Board indicates a group with authority) to rotate off each year. After serving the 3-year term, those who rotate off will usually sit out for at least one year before being eligible for reelection by the congregation. This prevents a dictatorship or ruling mentality among the deacons. In addition, it provides a natural opportunity for someone to step out, if they are feeling the deacon service is too much for them.

3) FILLING A VACATED TERM:

If a deacon position becomes vacant before the term is complete, the Pastor and current Deacons will recommend someone (from the purged list mentioned under "Selection of Deacons") to fill the position. The congregation would need to approve the recommendation, in keeping with the principle of Acts 6:3. The person who fills the position may or may not be eligible to serve a full term immediately after the term he filled is complete. That decision should also be clearly defined in the Constitution and Bylaws.

4) REMOVAL OF DEACONS:

Removal of deacons is not something that anyone usually discusses and thus churches usually just endure and struggle through the term of a "bad" deacon. Even with a good screening process, there are occasions in which deacons change their theological position, under-perform, cause dissension, refuse to support the Pastor, or establish themselves as rulers over the congregation, etc. In such cases, the Pastor, current deacons, and/or the congregation should have the opportunity to remove them. I would strongly encourage every church to include a clear process for deacon removal in your Constitution and Bylaws. Just as the Pastor serves at the pleasure of the congregation; so too, the congregation should have the full authority and opportunity to remove one or all of the deacons, when they deem such action is necessary. (i.e. - There may be instances in which a deacon body begins to usurp pastoral or congregational authority, operate secretively, or exhibit dishonesty before the Church. Such instances, may justify removal of one or ALL of the deacons. In such cases, the church would elect new deacons.) The Pastor and congregation MUST have full confidence in the integrity of those selected to serve as deacons.

5) CLOSING THOUGHTS:

a) Pastors serve the church by leading; while deacons lead the church by serving. There is a clear biblical distinction between the two roles. Every candidate should be reminded of this prior to starting his term as a deacon.
b) I would NEVER use the term "Deacon Board." Instead, I would recommend the term "Deacon Body." A "Board" is the corporate title given to a group having authority, and the term "Deacon Board" is evidence that many churches have adopted corporate policies, rather than biblical policies.
c) Churches would be wise to include a statement such as "At First Church, our deacon ministry operates according to the biblical philosophy established in Acts 6. We believe that deacons are selected to serve, and have no right to rule or exercise authority over the Pastor or the congregation."

While some undoubtedly think the statement in #5c is harsh or even dictatorial, others will see the wisdom of including such a statement in the Constitution and Bylaws. By including such as simple statement, a church may save itself from much of the unnecessary dissension, division, and discord so often caused by carnal or power-hungry deacons. I know and agree that most deacons are very godly men, but it only takes one to start mutiny in the ministry. I pray that you will seriously pray over and consider the steps outlined above.

Deacons #9 - Role & Duties of Deacons

Immediately upon starting this series of posts regarding deacons, I had to disable the comments section; because so many people have varying opinions about "their thoughts" on deacons. I truly believe the thoughts and positions I have been sharing are backed by Scripture and can be traced to the original languages and intent. Even as I have been writing, I do understand that your church and/or other churches may utilize deacons differently and I respect the right of local churches to exercise their prerogatives... even though I still contend that they should be based on the Bible, not church tradition!

In this blog, I have been communicating the biblical role of deacons as I truly believe it was meant to be. Each post has been adapted from the weekly bulletin inserts that we distributed to our church family for the first 10 years I was at EBC. I stopped distributing them several years ago and later discovered it to have been a mistake, as people continued to join the church from other Baptist churches who thought differently about deacons and even those who came to us from other denominations. The biblical position and practice of deacons should be taught annually in the local church to maintain purity in practice and strength in unity.

So, returning to the foundation I laid in the first post of this deacon series, I remind you that deacons are the servants of the church. Many church problems could be avoided by simply remembering that the role of a deacon is to serve in the church, not to rule over the church. A flow chart outlining the authority in the local church, based on biblical principles, would look like this:

1) God (It's HIS Church and He is the Good Shepherd.)
2) Pastor (Under-shepherd responsible to lead and feed the flock of God.)
3) Staff (Serve at the pleasure of the pastor as extensions of his ministry, but they are NOT equals to the Pastor. Much confusion about this in modern church models. i.e. - Remember, Moses was clearly the God-called leader. While Aaron and Joshua provided tremendous assistance to him, they did not try to usurp his authority.)
4) Congregation (Responsible to select their Pastor and he remains accountable to them. It would be the congregation's responsibility to follow him as he follows God; or to remove him for issues of unrepentant sin, heresy, etc.)
5) Deacons (Chosen by the congregation to carry out the tasks assigned by the Pastor/staff.)

Acts 6:3 – “Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business (task)”

Here is a partial list of what we viewed as responsibilities of deacons at Emmanuel Baptist Church:
• To Provide congregational care, especially care for benevolence needs, shut-ins, and widow(er)s. While other responsibilities have been added to deacons, Acts 6:1-3 reveals congregational care / benevolence to be the primary biblical responsibility.
• To serve as an advisory panel to the Pastor, ever mindful that the final authority and responsibility for leading the church rests with the Pastor/Elders. (1 Peter 5:1-4)
• To serve as ombudsmen to the Pastor regarding the spiritual climate of the church.
• To deal wisely and in a Scriptural manner with those who would cause division in the Body of Christ, doing everything possible to resolve the problems and restore the people.
• To serve as protectors of the man of God.
• To serve as personal workers during the invitation time.
• To prepare and serve the Lord’s Supper.
• To oversee the finances of the church and school.
• To oversee the care and compensation of our employees.
• To oversee maintenance/repairs of our facilities & equipment.
• To oversee and coordinate all changes and/or improvements to our facilities and campus.
• To serve as the missions committee.
• To serve with the Pastor as an arbitration panel, if necessary.
• To serve (as all Christians should) by actively sharing their faith.

Deacons #8 - The Deacon's Wife

Interesting that in 1 Timothy 3 the qualities of a deacon's wife are mentioned in addition to the requirements of a deacon. It would only be a reasonable expectation that the wife of a church leader should be a virtuous example for the women of the congregation. Too many pastors' wives want to be out in front, noticed, the center of attention, "co-pastoring" if you will; and the same is true of many deacons' wives. Many good men are either disqualified to serve (or should be) based on the character of their wife.

Notice the specific requirements pertaining to the deacon’s wife as stated in 1 Tim 3:11, “Likewise their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.”

o Reverent - Women of dignity, serious, and stately. Not “silly” or “giddy” women. Not those who speak for or control their husbands.
o Not slanderers or malicious gossips. Interesting that the Greek word for slanderer is “diabolos,” which is literally translated - “devil.” (cf. Matt 4:1).
o Not quarrelsome or cantankerous. You will recall that Paul mentioned the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21. Among the worst sins, you will find hatred, dissensions, and strife. These sins can be caused by improper use of the tongue. Sadly, too many deacons' wives (and pastors' wives) skillfully wield the weapon of the tongue to devour and destroy.
o Temperate – Level-headed. Not persuaded by outside influences, worldly trends, etc.
o Faithful in all things – Trustworthy toward her Lord, family, husband, and calling. Think about it… How can a woman who acts like Jezebel, dresses like a prostitute, murmers like Miriam, or covets like Sapphira, serve beside her deacon husband?

Today, it would behoove a church well to checkout a prospective deacon's and his wife's Facebook page. See what they talk about. What "friends" do they have? Do they engage in FB gossip? Do they make flippant comments or posts? Are they passive-aggressive in what they say, share, or like? Social media is often a tell-all that reveals the true heart of a person. Use modern technology to help determine the spiritual depth of someone, BEFORE you nominate them to serve in any leadership capacity.

Realize this... godly deacons’ wives can be a tremendous blessing to a church, but ungodly women can be a dreadful curse! Should a man serve in the office of Deacon if his wife fails to meet the requirements set down in the Scriptures? The answer is adamantly, “NO.” One of the greatest hindrances a church can ever experience is to have a deacon’s wife who fails to meet God’s requirements. Be sure to carefully consider a man’s wife, before you choose him to serve as a deacon.

Deacons #7 - 1 Timothy 3 Qualifications

Up to this point, we've primarily been looking at Acts 6 as it pertains to deacons. Now, let's shift our focus to 1 Timothy 3. Too often, 1 Timothy 3:1-7 gets passed over when talking about deacons; but 1 Tim 3:8 begins with the word “likewise,” which means all that has previously been said about the pastor also applies to the deacon. So, let’s look closely at these qualifications.

(vs. 2) Blameless – Not sinless perfection, but no egregious or hidden areas of sin. All known sin has been confessed and wrongs have been made right. (Blameless is also overshadowing and sets the tone for the other qualifications in the passage.)
(vs. 2) Husband of one wife – The Greek text literally reads, "A one woman man."
(vs. 2) Temperate / Sober – Literal meaning is “wineless.” Metaphorical sense: alert, watchful, vigilant, clear-headed.
(vs. 2) Of good behavior – Prudent, well-disciplined, orderly life.
(vs. 2) Hospitable – Loves strangers.
(vs. 2) Able to teach – Only characteristic that relates specifically to giftedness & function.
(vs. 3) Negatives – No wine, not a striker, and no coveting.
(vs.4,5) Well ordered house – Not a perfect family, but well managed
(vs. 6) Not a novice – One who is spiritually mature, tested, and proven.
(vs. 7) Reputation – Good reputation with members & those outside the church.

(vs. 8) Reverent – Men of dignity, serious, and stately.
(vs. 8) Not double-tongued – Honest, consistent, not hypocritical.
(vs. 8) Not given to much wine – Not a habitual practice.
(vs. 8) Not greedy of money – Not “loving” or controlled by money.
(vs. 9) Knowing & obeying Scripture – Wisdom in knowledge & application of Scripture.
(vs. 10) Tested – Proven and mature in their faith.
(vs. 10) Blameless – Not sinless perfection, but no hidden areas of sin. Repentant.
(vs. 12) Husband of one wife –A“one-woman man” faithful & true.
(vs. 12) Well ordered house – Not a perfect family, but well managed

1 Timothy 3 clearly lays out the qualifications for pastors and deacons. No congregation would want a pastor who was unfaithful in church attendance, never tithed or gave to missions, never visited, or led people to Christ. Notice again, the word “likewise” (vs. 8), implies that almost everything that is expected of a pastor should be expected of a deacon. The office of deacon should be filled prayerfully and carefully, because a church will never grow beyond the spiritual level of its leadership.

Deacons #6 - Steadfast Commitment

It is often difficult to tell the difference between those who claim to love Christ and those who oppose Him. A Muslim acquaintance of mine recently told me. "Christians have three lives: they live one way on Monday through Friday, another on Saturday, and another on Sunday." His belief is that the average Christian's commitment to Christ is only a commitment of convenience and ritual. He stated that Sundays are fashion shows and Christians are hypocrites! I know that Muslims hate Christians, but this man is cordial and willing to engage in conversations. While I may not believe the way he believes, I do believe he is partially correct... many people are Christians by convenience and live lives of hypocrisy. I'll save further comments about hypocrisy for a future post, but I do want to focus on the need for deacons to be committed.

God expects all true Christ-followers to love Him and His Church more than their own lives. If that is the expectation for Christians, then obviously there is an even greater commitment to be evidenced in the life of a deacon. Stephen, one of the first deacons, is an illustration of this in Acts 6-7. Stephen would neither compromise, nor stop preaching that salvation came only through Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Because of this, “They stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not charge them with this sin." And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” (Acts 7:59-60)

Back in Acts 6:5 we read, “They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost.” The remainder of chapters 6 and 7 describe the life of this deacon. We only read of one brief day in Stephen’s life, before he passes off the scene; but God recorded his story as an example for us to learn from. Stephen was not a negotiator or compromiser. He stood fast and the Bible records him to be a man who loved God more than his own life.

Doesn’t it seem strange that many today desire the office of a deacon, yet put personal things before church attendance, evangelism, discipleship, and ministry opportunities? Some want to control the church finances, but they don’t tithe. Some pray eloquent prayers for missionaries, but they give very little to missions. Some want to make decisions that will effect the church, but refuse to take time to seek the mind of Christ. Some want to push their personal agenda, rather than submit to God’s leading and what is “best” for His church. Some want the title and power, but they don't want to make the commitment necessary to fulfill the true calling of a diakonos... a servant of the church.

A congregation should seriously consider Deacon Stephen before electing any man to serve as a deacon. Luke describes Stephen as being a “full” man. He was not full of tricks, humor, self, sarcasm, jokes or charisma. Stephen is described as being full of faith, wisdom, power, grace, the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and love for Jesus. Should we lower God’s standards and requirements? Is it right to allow men to serve as deacons who fail to show commitment, evidence spiritual disciplines, and meet the requirements laid out in Scripture? Deacons must love, lead, serve, defend, and live for God and His Church. They must put God’s desires before their own and live with authenticity... lest it might cause those without Christ to make an inaccurate assessment of His Church.

Deacons #5 - Men of Wisdom

It would seem to go without saying that any man who desires to serve his church as a deacon, should be a man of wisdom. Ironically, last week I was discussing deacons with a man who has served as Pastor of the same church for over 30 years and has helped many other churches through the years. He said, "You can take a man who is intelligent, godly, a Sunday School teacher, etc.; make him a deacon and he becomes an idiot!" Obviously that doesn't happen to every deacon; but it seems to happen frequently whether the church is big or small, country or city, and in all denominations. Well-meaning men get an ounce of what they perceive as "power" and they lose all semblance of intelligence.

Part of the problem could be that most who serve as deacons do not have any theological training or experience. They only know what they have heard through preaching or opinions they have gleaned from others who served previously. Sadly, some get puffed-up with pride and think they know it all when it comes to the work of the Church. Think about this...When my car breaks down, I take it to a certified mechanic; When I'm having electrical problems in my house, I call a certified electrician; When I need a surgical procedure, I want a highly skilled surgeon with experience in his field. Doctors will tell you that with the Internet came self-diagnoses. Well-meaning web-surfers now think they are doctors and pharmacists! My daughter is an RN and LOVES her job; but her job is often impeded by the patient's family members who insist they know more than the RN's. So, here's my point and what we all need to realize... trust the professionals, those with experience, those with degrees... even in the Church. Realizing this, let's examine this characteristic found in Acts 6:3, "Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom..."

A deacon must be filled with wisdom. This means one who is able to use knowledge wisely (Acts 6:3). This verse is very similar in comparison to 1 Timothy 3:9 – “Holding the mystery of the faith.” The mystery of the faith refers to revealed truth which lies beyond the ability of the carnal mind to comprehend. The best example of one filling this requirement is in Acts 6 and 7. Stephen was one of those chosen to serve as a deacon. The Scriptures tell us that he was full of the Holy Spirit, love, power, wisdom, and the Word of God. As you read of his ministry, it becomes apparent that he had thorough knowledge of God’s Word and proclaimed it in the power of the Holy Spirit. He made decisions, offered guidance, gave counsel, and lived by the Word of God. So often today, deacon elections are nothing more than popularity contests and men are chosen to serve as deacons without any regard to their practice of spiritual disciplines or knowledge of the Bible. Neither a man’s popularity nor his longevity in a particular church; removes his need to be well-grounded in the Scriptures. To ignore this qualification for deacons, as given in the Scripture, is wrong! So, it is essential for a man assuming the office of deacon to be thoroughly grounded in the Word of God.

In addition, wisdom is displayed in decision making. Arrogance often reveals itself in unilateral decision making. Proverbs 11:14 states, "Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety." Arrogance would disregard third party opinions, offers of help, and/or counsel from those with years of experience and expertise. Ecclesiastes 12:13 states, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter..." To make decisions after only hearing one side of a matter is foolish! Consider Solomon hearing from both of the women who claimed the living child was theirs (1 Kings 3:16-28). Hearing both sides allowed him to make a wise decision. Consider Luke 14, "For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— 29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?" Wisdom is displayed by those who are willing to study, dig, examine, listen, invest time, determine the facts, and search the Scriptures; BEFORE making a decision. A deacon who refuses to hear the whole matter, seeks no outside counsel, and jumps to conclusions; will only make pride-filled decisions and wreak havoc in the church!

Would it be asking too much to have a deacon candidate give a proper defense of the Doctrine of God, the Trinity, the Devil, the Bible, Creation, the Fall of man, the Blood Atonement, Repentance and Faith, Salvation, Regeneration, Justification, Eternal Security, Sanctification, the Rapture, the Second Coming, the Church, Baptism, the Lord’s Supper, Church Leadership, etc.? Would it be too much to consider a candidate's track record for decision making and proof of sound judgment? Remember, deacons MUST be men of wisdom; who know, apply, and live the precepts and principles found in the Word of God. To know and live as such, one must be full of wisdom and well-grounded in the Word of God.

Deacons #4 - Full of the Holy Ghost

As we continue our examination of the biblical requirements for deacons, we return to Acts 6:3. So far, we've seen that the congregation was responsible to select the deacons and the Apostles/Pastors had the responsibility of assigning the tasks to the deacons. We also noticed that the Apostles gave specific instructions to the congregation regarding what to look for. They were to seek out men who were tested and proven, as well as, those who had good reputations. The next requirement found in Acts 6:3 is that those being chosen as deacons must also be "full of the Holy Ghost."

This requirement naturally screens out those who are self-seeking, involved in willful and unrepentant sin, and whose behavior is unbecoming to a Holy God. In hearing such requirements, we tend to think only of egregious sins (which are to be considered); but such behavior could also include (in a modern sense) self-promotion by "liking" or commenting on everyone's Facebook post for the sake of being noticed, efforts to endear one's self to the congregation, and it could even be attached to promoting one's self by simply standing in a place of prominence and shaking hands for the sake of being noticed. For decades, "Christians" have selectively preached against sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll; while choosing to overlook the more "acceptable" sins such as self-promotion, gossip, and pride. To be "full of the Holy Ghost" requires a person to be humble and submissive before God. Only after we've become empty of self, can we become full with the Holy Spirit.

Sadly, most deacon elections are nothing more than popularity contests in the church. Being “filled with the Holy Spirit” does not refer to one who is simply a long-time member of the church, one who possesses a good personality, or one who has been successful in material things. As you study those chosen in Acts 6, it is evident that there was no emphasis or importance placed on any of the above mentioned qualities. Instead, the deacons were chosen for qualities evidencing their spiritual maturity.

Question: “How many churches do you know that insist upon having deacons who are filled with the Holy Spirit?” Would it be too embarrassing to ask a man if he considers himself to be filled with the Spirit? Is it expecting too much to think that a deacon’s lifestyle should reflect the fullness of the Spirit? The fruit of the Spirit should be an obvious requirement in the lives of those desiring to be considered as deacon candidates. Galatians 5:21-23 describes the fruit (outward evidence) of the Spirit-filled life as “Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, and temperance (self-control).” If deacons were exhibiting these characteristics, there would certainly be fewer horror stories coming out of deacons' meetings and fewer church splits initiated by carnal men attempting to serve in spiritual roles.

Finally, Acts 6:8-7:59 records the story of Deacon Stephen, who was “full of the Holy Ghost.” He stood firm and evidenced Christ, even in the face of adversity, false accusation, and death. When you compare Stephen's life to that of the average deacon, do you wonder if we are not missing something? Do you understand why churches have so many issues related to deacons? So, based on Acts 6:3 and Ephesians 5:18, we conclude that being “filled with the Spirit” is a requirement for anyone desiring to serve as a deacon, as well as, a command for all Christ-followers! So, as you elect deacons, make sure to select spiritual men to serve in this spiritual role. The unity of your church is depending on it!

Deacons #3 - Good Reputation

As we move into examination of more specific characteristics of deacons, let me encourage you to use a word-for-word, literal translation of the Bible; such as the King James Version (KJV) or the New American Standard (NAS). As I pointed out in Part #1 of this series, the literal interpretation is vitally important to a study such as this. Just for example if you use the Contemporary English Version (CEV), frequently labeled the Calvinist Bible, the words used will occasionally alter the meanings from the intent of the original languages. The CEV is written at a fourth grade reading level, making it appropriate for children and adults with limited English skills. The CEV translators used the dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought) as opposed to formal equivalence (word-for-word) translation method. So, get a good translation of the Bible and be willing to dig deeper, rather than just surface study.

The next characteristic to be examined when considering a candidate to serve as a Deacon is what the KJV calls "honest report." Honest report means of good reputation, well-respected, of godly character and moral integrity. Paul elaborates on this in 1 Timothy 3:10. Deacons are to be found “blameless." This is an all-inclusive quality relating to all areas of life and sets the tone for all of the other areas that follow. It means having been examined and passed the test. The word "blameless," of course, does not mean sinless perfection; but the characteristic pattern of life must be in line with the biblical standards required of deacons. When considering a candidate to serve as a deacon, he should be asked if there are any verifiable, unresolved charges of wrong-doing that could be brought against him. Simply stated… are there any skeletons in his closet? If so, has he properly repented and does he now have a clear conscience before God? The key focus is NOT whether or not the candidate has ever done anything wrong... since we all have! The real issue is whether the candidate has repented of his wrongs and made them right with with the Lord and others. Some sins may disqualify a person permanently from serving as a deacon, but most will not; if the person has truly repented.

Being “of honest report” means being worthy of respect. This should include the deacons' reputation both in the church and in the business community. Again, this does NOT mean that everyone must like him or agrees with him, as that is not even realistic. For example, I have been very successful in building relationships across our community, but there are still some who don't like me. I know of one who dislikes me because I caught him trying to cheat me financially after doing work on my house... a couple don't like me because I would not condone their sinful lifestyles... and others don't like me simply because I adhere to biblical positions that they feel are outdated. But, most of those who dislike my positions, would still say they respect me for being true to my beliefs. People can disagree, while still respecting one another.

Rest assured that unbelievers are constantly watching and evaluating church leaders. A man cannot effectively serve as a deacon or a witness in the community if he has a dark cloud hanging over his head. A bad reputation for a deacon is a bad reputation for the church, and a bad reputation for our Lord. The world watches and marks those pastors and deacons who are lazy, cut corners, curse, lie, gamble, drink, etc. I remember a time I was shocked to discover that a man who served as a deacon in our church had a poor testimony of cussing and berating in the business community. I was also shocked to discover that a couple of deacons were social drinkers. These things were brought to my attention by those outside of our church... it was the community that informed me, not the church family! Sadly those critics took pleasure in exposing sin and rest assured that Satan delights in discrediting a church by exposing questionable behavior or flaws in the leadership! When considering a man to serve as a deacon, ask, “What do his neighbors and those in the community say about this man?”

In addition, one must have an “honest report” or "good reputation" within his local church. He should be an example in every area. Ask whether he is participating in the Great Commission by visiting the lost and trying to win them to Christ? Is he actively discipling a new believer? Does he wholeheartedly support the various ministries of the church? Does he regularly give financial support through tithes, offerings, and mission giving? Is he in complete doctrinal agreement with the church? Is he fully supportive of the Pastor? Does he faithfully attend the church services? Has he proven himself to be a fully-devoted follower of Christ over a period of time? You don’t make a man a deacon in hopes that he will serve; you select him because he already has an established pattern of serving in the church. So, before nominating a man to serve as a deacon, be sure he has a lifestyle that is consistent with the biblical requirements for deacons.

Deacons #2 - Proven Servants

As I continue this series about deacons, we must realize that the role of deacons has become convoluted and has sadly evolved into something it was never meant to be. Denominations and local churches obviously utilize the role of deacons differently. Some allow women to serve as deacons, while some do not. Some allow divorced individuals to serve, while others do not. Some put their deacons in public view, while others utilize them behind the scenes. Some see deacons as having authority, while others see them strictly as servants. The list of differences goes on and on. I am often asked, "With so many different opinions on spiritual things (ie- the role of deacons), how can we know who is correct?" The answer is simple... search the Scriptures. God is not now, nor has He ever been confused regarding His blueprint for the Church. The confusion comes when we try to explain what we think the Scriptures say, rather than taking the time to research the original languages, intent, and context of the passage.

Confusion over the role of deacon often results when churches operate out of tradition, elect novices, allow people who came from other denominations to serve without training, permit those who served as deacons in other churches of like faith to serve without any vetting, etc. Too often, deacons bring baggage and preconceived ideas that may not be biblical. I remember sitting in a deacon training meeting in which a couple of men stated something to the effect, "We've been deacons for 30 years, know how to do this, and we don't need to be trained." I was stunned! Where was the servant spirit? Where was the desire to learn how to serve more effectively? Every believer is a work in progress and should be a life-long student of the Word. Pastors, teachers, managers, and employees in all walks of life attend training seminars and are required to take CEU's. How much more should the servants of God who deal with eternal matters be desiring and seeking deeper understanding as we sharpen our skills? With that in mind, let's begin examining the qualifications of deacons.

The first requirement for anyone to serve as deacon is that they MUST BE A PROVEN SERVANT. As I mentioned in my previous post, according to Acts 6, deacons were "assigned" or "appointed" with the specific task of problem solving for the sake of maintaining unity in the church. Ironic that many of the problems and much of the disunity seen in today's churches is often caused by deacons. My personal opinion is that a person should be a member of the local congregation for an extended period of time, before ever being considered or permitted to serve as a deacon. 1 Timothy 3:10 states, "Let them first be proved or tested..." The local church provides a good venue to observe a person's character life, family, business dealings, integrity, humility, willingness to serve others, and the depth of spiritual maturity prior to selecting any person as a deacon. The evaluation of deacons should continue even after their selection and during their time of service. As a side note: Every church's bylaws should clearly state the process for selecting deacons and removing deacons. Deacons should be held accountable to and by their Pastor/Elders and local congregation.

So, as a church family begins to examine the qualifications of deacon candidates, it must first look for people who have been tried and tested...PROVEN SERVANTS. The church must look for those who are spiritually mature and see the role of deacon as a servant of the church. Candidates must be willing to carryout the tasks assigned to them and to unconditionally support the Pastor/Elders... unless they do something illegal, immoral, unethical, or heretical. Any church that rushes the process, fails to follow the Scriptural vetting process, chooses deacons based on affluence or popularity, and/or fails to include clear steps outlining the selection and removal of deacons in their bylaws; will soon find themselves in the middle of a mess and "ruled" by ungodly deacons. Remember, the role of a deacon was God's idea and we must follow His plan for His Church!

Deacons #1 - What the Bible Says About Deacons

In today's culture, there are MANY ideas about the role of Deacons in the church. Some see deacons in a support and service role, while others see deacons as a "Church Congress" elected to govern the church and represent the people. These conflicting views have created much tension, animosity, and even unnecessary division in many local churches. I have always felt it is better to be biblical, rather than traditional; so it only makes sense to search the Scriptures to determine the role of a Deacon. I plan to dedicate several posts to define and clarify this role, in hopes that doing so might be of help to many congregations.

To determine the role of a deacon, we must obviously start by defining the term. The Greek word for deacon is the word διάκονος or "diakonos" (Pronounced dee-ak'-on-os). By definition, the word "diakonos" means: "servant, minister, waiter, or one who executes the commands of another, especially of a master." A. T. Robertson, "1249 (diákonos) properly means 'to kick up dust,' as one running an errand." No where in that term nor its variations, can we find any other connotation than one who "serves." The word is never used in reference to one who rules or one who exercises authority. A deacon is simply a servant of the church.

One of the most common and misunderstood passages using the word "diakonos" is found in Acts 6:3 - "Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business." A misunderstanding of the word "business" has wreaked havoc in many churches. For clarification sake, in Acts 6 the congregation chose the deacons and then the Twelve (the Pastors) appointed the business or specific responsibility(NIV), task(NAS), or thing(CEV) to those deacons. What was that task or specific point of business in Acts 6?... The feeding of the widows... Congregational care or benevolence care. By taking care of that assignment, the deacons were serving the pastors by enabling them to give themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word. Too often, today's deacons misunderstand the word "business" and try to assume responsibility for the administration and oversight of the church. The context of Acts 6:1-4 makes is very clear that the role of the deacon is to "serve" the church; while it is the responsibility of the Pastors and Elders to serve as the under-shepherds and to oversee, lead, and provide direction for the church.

In Acts 6, it is also interesting to notice the form of Church government that is outlined:
- God called the Twelve (Pastors) - God's always called a man (ie - Moses, Joshua, Gideon, Paul, etc.)
- The pastors communicated God's truth directly to the congregation.
- The congregation selected the deacons.
- The deacons carried out the work assigned by the pastors, for the overall benefit of the congregation.

So, where does the idea that deacons oversee the pastors/elders and control the congregation come from, since it is definitely NOT a biblical concept? I personally believe it stems from pride originating in the hearts of those men who are elected to serve as deacons, but do not meet the qualifications of 1 Timothy 3. I personally believe the sin of pride and the desire for control simply wells up in the heart of the power-hungry novice. They inappropriately seek to serve as a deacon in order to attain a position that may allow them to make the changes they deem necessary in the church. Sadly, churches across our nation are paying the price for this "stinkin' thinkin'" through unnecessary strife and division within their congregations, as well as, pastors who are leaving the ministry following pride-filled power-struggles with deacons.

So, what can and should deacons be doing to serve their local churches? First, deacons should be setting the example as fully-devoted followers of Jesus Christ through the personal spiritual disciplines of prayer, Bible study, church attendance, tithing, teaching, evangelism, discipleship, etc. Second, deacons should be serving by ministering both spiritually and physically to the needs of members, preparing and serving communion, making hospital visits, visiting widows and shut-in’s, helping with the setup and cleanup of events, coordinating church workdays, caring for the church's facilities, comforting the bereaved, serving as financial consultants to the church, providing security, and serving in various ministries. The Scriptural attitude of any deacon should be summarized in the question, “What can I do to help?”

With that question in mind, let me close with one of the best stories about a deacon that I've ever heard. The story is told of a Youth Pastor who had just returned from a week at summer camp with the children from his local church. The deacon who oversaw the care of the church's vehicles was there when the group arrived. The church bus was "trashed" with fast food bags, candy wrappers, soda cans, and sand throughout. The deacon could have berated the Youth Pastor for allowing the students to eat on the bus or for returning the bus in such a mess; but that particular deacon did not do that. Instead, he thanked the Youth Pastor for taking those kids to camp and investing in their spiritual nurturing. He rejoiced in the salvation testimonies and spiritual decisions as the Youth Pastor shared them. Finally, the deacon told the Youth Pastor to go home and get some sleep. That deacon chose to express his appreciation and support of that Youth Pastor by volunteering to sweep and clean the bus himself. Now... that's the heart of a Spirit-filled deacon!